Background:
(NET) The text draws the curtain of heaven aside for the reader to understand the background of this drama. God extols the virtue of Job, but Satan challenges the reasons for it. He receives permission to try to dislodge Job from his integrity. In short, God is using Job to prove Satan’s theory wrong.
Ob and In:
1. Why can Satan talk to God?
6 Now the day came when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD—and Satan also arrived among them.
(NET) The “sons of God” in the OT is generally taken to refer to angels. They are not actually “sons” of Elohim; the idiom is a poetic way of describing their nature and relationship to God. The phrase indicates their supernatural nature, and their submission to God as the sovereign Lord. It may be classified as a genitive that expresses how individuals belong to a certain class or type, i.e., the supernatural (GKC 418 §128.v).... He came among the angels at this time because he is one of them and has access among them. Even though fallen, Satan has yet to be cast down completely (see Rev 12).
2. What did Satan do on that day (maybe in a regular basis)
v.7 The LORD said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” And Satan answered the LORD, “From roving about on the earth, and from walking back and forth across it.”
(NET) What they signify is the swiftness and thoroughness of his investigation of humans. The good angels are said to go to and fro in the earth on behalf of the suffering righteous (Zech 1:10, 11; 6:7), but Satan goes seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet 5:8).
On the other hand, Satan has to answer God when He asked it where it came from.
Reflection: From this passage, God is way more superior to Satan, which only has a chance to appear God among those who are submissive before Him. Satan needed to answer when God asked him to (even he was doing his round of spying on believers). God limited how much Satan can do things against Job.
3. God will made Satan aware of certain people
8 So the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job?
(NET) tn The Hebrew has “have you placed your heart on Job?” This means “direct your mind to” (cf. BDB 963 s.v. I שׂוּם 2.b). sn The question is undoubtedly rhetorical, for it is designed to make Satan aware of Job as God extols his fine qualities.
4. The beginning of the testing
v.9 Then Satan answered the LORD, “Is it for nothing that Job fears God?...11 But extend your hand and strike everything he has, and he will no doubt curse you to your face!” v.12 12 So the LORD said to Satan, “All right then, everything he has is in your power. Only do not extend your hand against the man himself!” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
(NET) v.9 The idea is that Satan does not disagree that Job is pious, but that Job is loyal to God because of what he receives from God. He will test the sincerity of Job.
(NET) v.11 The formula used in the expression is the oath formula: “if not to your face he will curse you” meaning “he will surely curse you to your face.” Satan is so sure that the piety is insincere that he can use an oath formula. v.12 So Satan, having received his permission to test Job’s sincerity, goes out from the LORD’s presence. But Satan is bound by the will of the Most High not to touch Job himself. The sentence gives the impression that Satan’s departure is with a certain eagerness and confidence.
5. Repeated words: (1) Have you not made a hedge around him...You have blessed...and his livestock have increased...
(2) But extend your hand and strike... he will no doubt curse you...The LORD said to Satan, "...do not extend your hand against the man himself..."
Reflection: On one hand we see how God blessed the ones he loves, on the other hand we see the reason for testing. How can I have the proper love for God and trust Him even if I am without all these blessing and protection? Can I stand the test?
Satan is so sure that the piety is insincere, and God allows Satan to find out. Does God know and therefore He allows Satan to test Job? God was the One who first asked Satan to be aware of Job even when Satan was roving about the earth to look for people to devour. He must have known that Job was sincere. He just wanted Job to have the opportunities to show that.
For myself, I just pray that I will stand the test. My heart is willing and may God help me.
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